City Clerk Resigns Without Explanation : Government: Lack of a pay raise could have been a factor in departure of Marvell Herren, who had held office since late 1989. Mayor ‘regrets her going.’

Marvell L. Herren officially resigned as city clerk Tuesday after recently telling the City Council, in the middle of a performance evaluation, that she intended to quit.

Herren did not return phone calls seeking comment. She submitted her resignation in a four-paragraph letter addressed to the mayor and council that offered no explanations. It read in part:

“The city clerk’s department has the best staff in the city, and the achievements I have made in the department have been accomplished only through their hard work and loyalty to me and the city.

“Thank you for all your support--I will miss you.”

The council in September delayed action on a proposed pay raise for Herren, who earned more than $70,000 a year.

The council met with Herron privately last week to discuss her performance. Mayor Jess Hughston said the session “went on awhile” before Herren announced that she planned to quit.

Hughston said the city clerk did not explain her decision, but the lack of a pay raise could have been a factor.

“I regret her going,” the mayor said.

The council hired Herren in October, 1989, under an arrangement that included assistance in helping her buy a house in Pasadena.

Herren, who had been city clerk in Foster City, 15 miles from San Francisco, sold a townhouse there and bought a home in the San Rafael Hills neighborhood for $300,000.

The city loaned her $45,000 to help make the purchase. Herren has been making interest payments on one five-year note of $25,000. A second note for $20,000 has required no repayment and would have been forgiven entirely if Herren had remained with the city until Oct. 23, 1996.

Under the loan agreement, officials said Herren must repay both notes because she has left her job.

The council discussed the matter in closed session Tuesday. City Atty. Victor Kaleta said, “Both notes are due and payable in 30 days, but I cannot comment on it any further than that.”

The council accepted Herren’s resignation Tuesday and approved the mayor’s appointment of Maria Stewart, assistant city clerk, as her interim replacement at an annual salary of $58,526.

Hughston said Stewart will serve for six months or until the appointment of a new clerk.